Special Feature - TRASHION

Trashion

Trashion, a made-word combining "trash" and "fashion", is a term coined for art, jewelry, fashion and objects created from used, thrown-out, found and repurposed materials (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trashion).

Our Trashion collection of garments are made from waste and recyclable material such as construction tarp, cardboard, newspaper, and plastics.

In nature, there is no such thing as waste. Everything that is “waste” is an input for another part of a cycle.

Our "Trashion" installation sets out to inspire people to see the potential in waste as a resource rather than unwanted material.

We encourage you to think twice before throwing something away because in reality, there is no “away”.

Artist Michelle Sin created her first Trashion collection as a high school project, combining her passion for fashion and the environment to challenge people to see the potential in waste.

CD SONTER and Michelle Sin have partnered together to expand the Trashion project into a full art installation that include men’s and women’s fashion.

2.4 million pounds of our plastic ends up in our oceans each hour.The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has 6 times more plastic than plankton.Most of this pollution is plastic bottles, bags, cutlery, and straws.

So how does your trash end up in the ocean?Sometimes, the garbage you place into a garbage can won’t end up in a landfill, but will get blown away onto the streets instead. When it rains, the wind and water carry this litter into storm drains, bringing the litter to nearby waterways. These rivers and lakes eventually reach the ocean, where marine life mistake plastic for food and die from choking, intestinal blockage, or starvation.

Take Action.

1. Avoid disposable plastics.2. Request less packaging with purchases.3. Make purchases in bulk.4. Save packaging materials for reuse or storage.5. Bring your own bag or box.

In a lifetime, the average 150 lb. North American will leave a legacy of 90,000 pounds of trash.

Take Action.

REUSE and REPURPOSE!

1. Turn old rubber boots into plant pots.2. Convert glass jars into hanging terrariums.3. Make cushions from rice bags.4. Wooden pallets can make great tables.5. Create an ottoman from used tires.6. Reconstruct gutters into vertical wall gardens.7. Give old wooden ladders a second life as hanging pot racks!

Designer's Notes Blue and Read

Let's Talk Trash.

We throw away 4.5 million tons of office paper each year. That’s enough to build a wall of paper 12 feet high from New York to Los Angeles!

1. Pack your food and drinks in reusable containers.2. Bring reusable dishes, cutlery, cloth napkins, and even use an old sheet for a picnic blanket. 3. To clean up, wrap all the dirty dishes and cutlery in the cloth napkins and pack them into the empty containers.

Designer's Notes Inside the Box

Let's Talk Trash.

Each year, we throw out 17 billion toilet paper tubes. That’s 160 million pounds of cardboard.End to end, it would make four trips to the moon!

Take Action.

1. Use reusable cloth or rags instead of paper towels.2. Use one sheet less every time you use toilet paper or paper towels.3. Purchase paper products that contain recycled material.4. “SHAKE and FOLD” to use only one paper towel sheet for drying hands!

Designer's Notes A Cut Above

Let's Talk Trash.

We use 1 trillion plastic bags each year around the world.That's over a million a minute!

Plastic bags can end up in our oceans through storm drainages where sea turtles mistake them for food. Thousands of turtles die every year from ingesting plastic bags.

End FAQ

Other Media Features

Shaw News

CBC News

Desciption: The Trashion fashion show featured clothes made from recycled materials, and was part of Green Calgary's waste reduction week. The Trashion showcase featured couture-style pieces made from materials such as plastic bags, construction tarp, and newspaper.